DC Comics: The Flash/Barry Allen Explained [Remastered]

The Flash (Barry Allen) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Barry Allen is the second character to be known as the Flash. The character first appeared in Showcase #4 (October 1956), created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciler
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Twitter: / comicsexplained
/ comicsexplained

[@chubacca7666]

Barry Allen has always been MY flash :) even before the show, but loving the show! Haha

[@deonsmith227]

Chubacca7 Barry Allen is also my Flash. He's the version I resonate most with.

[@Rylopero]

Chubacca7 for me, it was Wally West. I could relate with him the most. And on top of this, his runs opened up the Flash mythos to what it is today

[@King_Potato28]

Uku Sibul no he was a copy of Barry or time remanent if you will

[@DanielLopez-ob9jz]

@@uku4171 no.

[@Makowako_]

This is like a time capsule from an era when the flash was a good show.

[@whatduexpect4585]

Rob i know i dont speak for everyone but you make comic books that would ordinarily not be interesting and turn them into something exciting and in depth. There is so much information and history in comics that i didnt know how to begin but you gave me that starting point and helped breakdown the information so I could really get into it. When i explain these comics to my wife its like telling a great novel or a good movie. Its not just pictures and superheros. There are great stories, amazing characters, tough choices, twisting mystery, and dire situations. On the surface its just another conic book but you help readers like me see that its actually a great story worth reading. Thanks Rob for all the hard work you do in making stories like this reach the common reader who would otherwise be lost or give up on comics entirely. ROB CORE SOLUTE!!!

[@fanboicucklorde1645]

What'd U Expect preach m8

[@DarkCloudNC]

What'd U Expect So true

[@grumpyguy2483]

DarkCloudEntertainment

[@OneEpicHero]

rob core!

[@BreednBull]

If i am honest Rob is the only reason i even read comics.

[@cmw986]

Barry Allen has always been my Flash

[@Azazreal]

Read Flash (and many others) for years now, always loved Wally but Barry will forever be my flash

[@koushikraja331]

i know that everyone is like "wally's muh flash, barry's lame"...i like wally too. but barry is sooo underrated. half the stuff wally knows, barry taught him how. barry saved the dc multiverse many times. barry's one of the main reasons why wally's such a great flash. also, barry is very much cleverer than wally. wally is a bit...lazy. barry developed his own first suit, wally was like "eh, speed force can take care of it, i guess." i love wally, but barry gets too much hate. also, he's nothing like that idiot in the show.

[@himanifafale6315]

How speed force can take care of suit???

[@talentroller4413]

Himani Fafale wally has a skill barry doesn’t know which is creating speed force constructs. with this skill wally can essentially manufacture his own costume out of will whenever he uses his speed at a moment of thought. which occurs through the speed force

[@alexwallar8608]

People have their opinions, just like people argue whether Hal Jordan or John Stewart is the definitive Green Lantern.

[@diurtydantv8061]

Screw Barry Allen, Santa is the TRUE scarlet speedster

[@epicblaze95]

Man💀

[@TheSerbianEmperor]

"All they had to do was receive a bite from a radioactive spider..." Damn, If only I knew it was so easy I could've been Spiderman, and not some guy out there.

[@nickkern4109]

TheEmperorSRB been trying this shit my whole life.

[@TheSerbianEmperor]

I feel you bro.

[@DisrespecfulSyrup]

TheEmperorSRB where do you plan to get a radioactive spider ?

[@TheSerbianEmperor]

You make one.

[@nickkern4109]

Ricky Wilson science convention.

[@jimmyjam4ever]

Thanks for the upload. Barry Allen is my favorite speedster.

[@Falkaisis]

Thank you, Rob, for covering my favorite superhero ever. You did such a fantastic job with delivering not just backstory for The Flash, but showing just how important he is to DC and the comic book world.

[@thephantazm5139]

I liked your old format but this is much better

[@arturMGS]

yes please, more barry allen explanation and flash stuff

[@michaelthethird702]

Great video. it's not easy to boil down all the info of a character like Barry and have it make sense. you did an excellent job

[@Sjono]

It's not a ComicsExplained video if you don't hear the phrase "What I wanna do here is"

[@MatheusSM1000]

I really liked this character discussion, and I'm not even a Flash fan. I'd love to see more of these!

[@MuzikPimpinOGDOGCRISP]

may have been loving Wally in JLU cartoon, Barry Allen will always be my boi!

[@TheVeryHungrySingularity]

The way you casually explain everything and leave in mistakes is what got me subscribed and watching your older videos. It reduces the distance from creator to consumer, which has been a big deal this decade.

[@enlighteninghumor6526]

4th wall break at 3:10, upper left panel. He's reading a Flash comic.

[@therapiddotslinger3375]

Well you see jay Garrick’s helmet so it’s implying that Jay is a comic book character there and that isn’t really a wall break

[@benparsons4979]

@@therapiddotslinger3375 it's still pretty meta

[@therapiddotslinger3375]

Ben Parsons I’m surprised that this wasn’t mentioned when they met jay

[@gabrieleaccardi2630]

Yeah, Barry is a comic book collector himself. You can see this in many silver and bronze age stories.

[@Different16]

These kind of videos are when the channel is at it's strongest.

[@Natev97]

Thanks Rob, you have made my day with this video.

[@CosmicPsychonauts]

13:00 Honestly it makes just as much sense. He is essentially a typical stalker.

[@ark_awaits3367]

What I love about Barry is his struggle to be the light. Season 1 of the show captured that :)

[@GirlsLoveMyM40]

This was an amazing video Rob, keep up the amazing content!

[@TheTilitus]

The Flash? More like "How comics evolved" Great vid dude.

[@almachavarria642]

Tilitus you're faster in air then on foot

[@comicbookcheez]

Rob: BARRY ALLEN EXPLAINED Me: *learned the entirety of comic publication history*

[@mjaehaji]

This was great ! I love Barry Allen and walle west. And I was wondering why they called the flash Wally in The justice league when my flash was Barry . But I think speeding all the time in the speed force he should be the ultimate and main flash and yes Wally was the funnier flash and he was great but Barry created flash point that should show the extent to his power even tho most of his power was introduce through Wally I like Barry due to the fact his personality is kinda more serious but have a lil sense of humor .

[@baki484]

I was more pulled in by his scientific background in forensics.

[@alexwallar8608]

I think DCAU Flash was Wally because Wally was The Flash at the time, Barry was died in 1985 during Crisis and was brought back in 2008 during Final Crisis.

[@erixouther]

this was EXTREMELY informative and comprehensive. thank you, man.

[@LegionLeague]

This video is actually amazing. Rob, thank you for this detailed and easy-to-understand explanation. I'm a recent subscriber, and I simply can't get enough of your videos. Keep up the great work, man!

[@degtheundead1405]

So Rob, what you’re telling me is “the flash is most likely the most important character in comic books”

[@shuheihisagi6689]

At least for the DC multiverse

[@oscarystgermain]

man that was amazing and i do like Barry over wally even if i grew up watching wally west. I just feel like Barry allen is more serious than Wally

[@TheJohno95]

I've talked a lot of trash about Geoff Johns....But I love what he's doing behind the helm now. I wish Marvel had someone like that that could bring some true cohesion to their titles. But for now....We have DC! Here's one thing....I would like to see you cover some of the craziness that you touched on but then jumped straight to Crisis on. Death of Iris Allen at the hands of Professor Zoom, Flash's murder trial, and then the move to the future. I know this came right before Crisis, so it gets lost in the shuffle, but it does impact on Impulse and his story quite a bit. Anyway, keep up the great work. I know doing a character that has been around as long as Barry is daunting and it's easier to hit the high points in an introduction.

[@Owni942]

Can you do a video on Savitr. With the Flash tv show introducing him into its mythos, it'd be cool to see the full story of where this character stood in the comics. Love your videos, the style, everything. Keep it up.

[@shazzanakim3612]

Part of my criticism with Comic Review and Comic History channels is that they always come from a COMICS NOW perspective. Don't get me wrong, people are reading comics that are current and new people coming into coming are from what exist today but this is part of the problem with comics like Marvel and especially DC. The industry forgets that there are comic book "investors" whom have been following and buying comics for decades. Not just from the 2000's or 1990's or even the 1980's. Some comic book "investors" have been buying and reading comics since the 1960's believe it or not. I say comic book "investors" because they have invested a major portion of their life experience in supporting the industry. So when radical changes take place, the "investors" are the one's that take the hit more so than NEW READERS. For the Comic Book Investors, the constant changing and shifting, cancellations and adapting for Movies and Television is a struggle and a turn off. The fact that there is this belief that the only reason that comic book readers don't like Barry Allen (Flash) or Hal Jordan (Green Lantern) is because a single generation didn't grow up with them is not true. The reason they are still around is because the most LOYAL comic book buyers are the INVESTORS whom no matter what, will buy comic books and it will reflect as a bottomline number. New readers aren't loyal. They loose interest in only a few issues. the Comic Book investor will stick it out knowing two things, 1. That although the story isn't great, the payoff with be in future issues and 2. the book is lore that will also payoff in future issues as well as characters. With all the up and down quality in writing in comic, there isn't a time when a bad story arch paid off in some of the best stories in comic book history. The reasons why the X-Men can still sell comics is because of the Investors of the 1970's and early 80's. Same with Batman, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Justice League, Green Lateran, Flash, Nightwing (aka Robin) etc. In essence, Barry Allen is still around because there is a sizable number of people whom invested in hundreds of single issues of Barry Allen books. You just can't say that he no longer exist and you can just thrown all that investment in the garbage. No matter what the character is, if and when there is a good amount of investment on the industry's part to dedicate good writing and art, even a character like Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Zantana, The Creeper, Captain Boomerang, Legion of Superheroes, Shade, Clayface, The Red Tornado, etc can be the standout character of a series. Killing Barry Allen was a "bad decision" and DC to this day is feeling the ripples from that decision. So much that instead of balancing the importants of both Barry Allan and Wally West, they are promoting Wally of Barry and thus the cycle begins again. Its the same with the Fantastic Four, Professor X, the first time they killed Iron Man (and the jury is out with this new death), Steve Rodgers Agent of Hydra (I mean what if they had made Superman pre-52 a Nazi? EPIC FAIL) You just can't ignore the Comic Book Investors whom have been around for Decades and are the true Comic Explained Historians and whenever "we" hear the phrase .... "Comic Book Fans didn't like ..... " we often pause and ask, "Well what comic book fans are you talking about?"

[@cjlevin4622]

I appreciate how you're personality has come through in more recent videos. It's a definite improvement and I enjoy it.

[@likenem]

Your voice is immaculate in any setting

[@bfan82]

free flow is definitely your style, sir.I was actually introduced to the Flash via the John Wesley Shipp t.v. show. When I picked up one of the comics my cousin had, I said "Who the hell's Wally West? What kind of name is Wally for a superhero?" lol Since the Flash's creation saved the DC universe, he truly is the most powerful...eat it, Supes lol

[@UnifiedEntity]

bfan82 Flash isn't beating Doomsday or Darkseid.

[@bfan82]

RaginDXDemon if they did it the way I'd write it, it's happening lol

[@MetalMadness_00]

bfan82 if that flash tv show lasted longer Barry Allen would've been revived sooner

[@bfan82]

***** yeah, you're probably right

[@jayku138]

Tbh i found your older style stuff to be really chill. Its nice to have a story read calmly to you

[@GrashUriza]

Yea! Its the return of golden age Rob videos, this reminds me of an extended version of the lead up to Infinity Gauntlet videos. Also a vs. video between Uncle Ben and Pa Kent would be interesting.

[@bsabruzzo]

Continuity is stil a bit wonky. Barry Allen is trying to date Iris West in The Flash comics, but he's trying to date that new Green Lantern in Justice League.

[@marcusavery1601]

Dude I fucks with this channel heavy

[@sze45asoi]

Rob, keep doing what you do, we appreciate it, man!

[@DrVonBoogie]

Do Cyborg. His New 52, 12 issue series was one of the best stories to come out of New 52

[@MistahBryan]

I'd like to see how fast the Flash can make me some lasagna

[@brett8770]

it amazes me how much you know. love your videos!

[@fanboicucklorde1645]

HAL JORDAN RE-EXPLAINED!!!!! JUST DO IT!!! JUST DO IT ROB!!!!!!!!!

[@jasonbean7296]

I love the work of Carmine Infantino. simple, elegant, energetic

[@Reach1335]

When you want steak "Wally West," but you get meatloaf "Barry Allen."

[@incrediblystoned4990]

Think I watch ComicsExplained the most good job and thank you.

[@brotherakuma]

I'm glad you are free flowing it Rob

[@murphyslaw7815]

You're ALWAYS my go to when I need to remember a character or learn about a character! You're the boss on KZbin with comics! No bullshit!

[@scull0234]

I'm Barry Allen and I'm the fastest man alive

[@gizanime782]

14:58 Warriors come out and plaaaaaayyyy

[@THEANPHROPY]

Bah who cares about Wally West when Barry Alan is great!!!

[@THEANPHROPY]

I see your true colours shinning through.....

[@THEANPHROPY]

Now don't be afraid, because I see your true colours, your true colours...

[@DeathBringer769]

I mean, I got into you based on your "old" content. I liked the old style, but I like your new style too. It's all good, Rob. I just appreciate the information and insight into comics and comic book history.

[@121von]

yo... keep up this remastering thing going. its cool being you

[@yf21_septic50]

Flash was ahead of his time, and I love the flash, favorite superhero

[@LaosyCanadian]

Love your content dude! Running time don't even matter. I'd watch you explain all of DC Rebirth (for example) for hours dude, so much knowledge and information learned!

[@NanceeYellow]

I loved this video!! Thank you for the upload.

[@benokazaki5462]

True. In New 52 when they took away arguably people's favorite Flash,Wally The West, they definitely made a huge mistake. If they didn't try to make Wally West grittier we could've had a Kid Flash in Rebirth that wasn't also named Wally West

[@OneEpicHero]

we love the free flow and your personality too rob!!!!!!!!!!

[@ShaMe901]

Great video mate, it was very well explained.

[@ShogunJacksonStone]

I really love the free flowing commentary Rob. Please cover Punisher Max though!

[@funnylittlenegro]

love this. more character discussions please

[@HER0121]

This is a much more engaging video format keep it up!

[@clemmycloo699]

I love that I finally found the video where rob finally goes into free form mode with his voice

[@jessemiller8091]

love your new style

[@aaronpederson8685]

I'd love to see a character profile for Martian Manhunter. He always seemed like an interesting character.

[@mori4703]

Just to let you know Rob: it is probably the best thing to do to listen to your videos while gaming

[@glennvds6349]

Hey bud, first vid I watched. I'm intrigued by Barry Allen. Can't really verbalize why yet. Him not being overpowered but in a more subtle way having a lot of potential and possibilities is an element of that. I got to dive into the character by watching the TV-series. I'd like to expand my feeling for the character by reading the comics. Do you propose a certain order/selection? Cheers

[@baki484]

I know what you mean but Barry isn't about I have to run as fast as I can it's more about finding a scientific solution working with what he's got. It's only when he can't think of anything else that he'll run as fast as he can. For me it was through young justice the cw show (which got old) so I pickup flash war, and the button then read the rebirth story from 2009 and flash point.

[@Tenro100]

this was an excellent video I'm now a little more smarter about the flash

[@gmckart]

i just learned so much flash trivia jesus

[@MannaEntertainment]

Dumb question but is Jeff Johns the inspiration for John Jonz the Martian Man Hunter?

[@GibbsVideography]

honestly didn't know that Geoff Johns was president of DC right now kind of makes me realize why things are moving in the right direction :D

[@devantebrewster4468]

do wally West next

[@ISoulReaper1994]

I like this.... Comics Explained Rebirth 😸😸😸😸😸😸😹😹😹😹

[@acegtfonow1842]

Rob, I love this channel man!

[@trentostrom2510]

Love the free flowing style!

[@geraldbrunson9728]

well that was way more informative then I thought. since I've been killing videos like a mad man here things connect and fall into place with each vid whether it's dc or marvel.

[@panavcreative]

love your videos dude. I like learning about comics and all the worlds the writers build. If I can make one suggestion only though. Sometimes your background music is too loud and it is hard to focus on what you are saying without being distracted by the music

[@ecrangergaming8302]

Great video dude, Please do Hal Jordan next!

[@datbeasleyboy]

I feel like this problem is about to repeat itself with Spider-Man. People identifying or growing up with Peter or miles

[@justyngrant9325]

good job man, keep it up

[@redq4953]

I was first introduced to the Flash by the TV show, and I've always preferred the older Volume 1 Barry Allen over any other version. It does seem like most fans of the show read the 52 series though

[@jonbaird8835]

Wally West and his entire existence in DC comics is nothing more than a dumpster fire.

[@carlmia305]

I'm sorry wally sooo much better than barry I think barry's best contribution to comics and was dying. because of his death, we saw a sidekick become the lead and given a chance to surpass his mentor ( which he did) some dick Greyson or superboy will never do. he ushered in the modern age of comics. he was the breakout star of the justice league cartoon (timmverse) Mark Waid's run defined nearly everything we know and love about the flash from the speed force to the flash family and the relationship between him and Jay Garrick. I'm not saying barry was a bad character it's just his time has passed. his death meant so much more to dc comics than his return especially since wally did everything he did and more. sorry berry fans Wally is the man barry like Hal should've stayed dead.

[@manamonglegends8787]

preach

[@emanuelpoitevien1885]

why did they bring him back?

[@Negate305]

I agree fuck hal kyle all day

[@carlmia305]

Idk y they did it, I think it was johns' idea. he teased it in his crisis. (cause he grew up with barry) but I think it could've been dc who made grant Morrison do it in final crisis for the marvel dc crossover

[@manamonglegends8787]

did you not watch the video

[@AL-ov9wx]

Couldn't agree more with you being yourself in the videos. I'll admit that I stopped watching your stuff a while back because it was a little boring. Awesome info, but even you sounded bored lol now you sound like you're enjoying yourself and it's SO much better and more fun. I'm definitely subscribing again.

[@Freya_Blossom]

Barry Allen was always my flash and Wally was always Kid Flash in my eyes even in the comics when Wally became the Flash to me he was still Kid Flash I didn't accept Wally West as the Flash

[@richardsullivan7339]

The reason I quit reading DC comics was that they killed off Barry Allen, or so I thought they did, I just recently found out they had brought him back, I would still read the Batman comics until bane broke his back , I guess I just don't like change lol.😂

[@thedarthcox1962]

Love your stuff!

[@TheAdamGiles]

I really enjoy your videos. I typically watch three of four a a time while doing dishes and cooking. Man, you're good. I particularly love the way you present these comics. Even the asides. They are so thorough. And best yet, entertaining. Please keep making more. I was completely unaware that the Flash had as much impact on DC as it did. Neither did I know how much fall out bringing him back would be. I always saw Wally West as his stand in till Barry returned. I'm surprised that the writers didn't do for Wally what they did for Dick, Jason, and Tim. Meaning, as these 'Robins' transitioned out of being Robin and becoming Nightwing, Red Robin, and so forth, that Wally would be a speedster to go by another name and move on to cover another area of the US and become a 'Speed-Family' like there is a 'Bat-Family'. Now, I know there is a 'Speed-Family', however, I think Wally could find his place there and not simply be another Flash.

[@MediaDevil505]

I've always loved the thought of the brightest day/darkest night. If you could redo those videos and make them more indepth(if that's possible) that would be great!

[@DJBSharpMusic]

Tragically, but thankfully, I'm 34, and I only recently got into The Flash. Mind you, it's through the CW series. I'm a bit surprised that I didn't pick up the comics or show earlier, but even given that I'm super late to the party, I don't regret it. My grandmother and I have been absolutely loving it!

[@kennethcunningham2572]

more character discussions would be great

[@pappy4075]

Nice job

[@homelander3423]

I am a new dc fan 😃😃😃😃😃😃. came from marvel and anime.

[@douglasperdue]

That was really good 🤘🏽🤙🏽👌🏽

[@mikecole999]

you should bring your old intro back it was cool

[@dereklouther9372]

Good job man 👍👍

[@Oxygenpdf]

My favourite Flash & Dc hero!! 😩🤌

[@michaelmcdonald2314]

Rob I don't really read comics at all but I watch your videos

[@dingbatstriker1563]

thanks Comic X you're so dope!